Time to unwind: Montréal's best spots for apéro

In the heart of Little Italy, Bar Bello is more than a bar: it's a four-generation family affair that speaks, drinks and eats Italian. Here, you'll enjoy a proper Italian aperitivo in a relaxed atmosphere: the amaro (Italian herbal liquor) and vermouth selection is among the finest in Montreal, and the Negroni is perfection. Small plates of antipasti and Italian cicchetti-inspired bites (Venetian tapas) complete the scene. A genuine spot, just like the family behind it. 

Bar Vivar is a little corner of Spain and the place to go on the Plateau-Mont-Royal when you want to relax with an apéro and satisfying bites like croquetas, melt-in-the-mouth jamón ibérico de Bellota, and tortilla. For drinks, the vermouth and sherry selection is excellent, and the house cocktails are not to be missed. Vamos! 

Named after the small Venetian bites, Bar Cicchetti is the perfect spot for a relaxed apéro that brings a taste of Italy to Montreal. If the Aperol spritz and Bellini are must-try drinks, the selection of natural and biodynamic wines is also worth discovering, paired with a lovely selection of small, classic Italian plates and seasonal bites. When the sun shines, the colourful terrace is one of Mile Ex's most inviting spots to unwind in.  

Claire Jacques is the kind of address you want to keep to yourself, but end up sharing with everyone you love. Run by chef Laurence Théberge and sommelier Philippe Guilbault, this intimate Villeray restaurant is perfect for a refined apéro. Order a cocktail made with homemade syrups and let the seasonal small plates do the rest. The menu follows the chef’s inspirations and showcases the best seasonal produce, so your tastebuds will always be surprised. 

Inspired by old Portuguese tavernas, Bar Henrietta is one of Mile End's most sought-after neighbourhood bars: warm wood, white brick walls and a sunny back terrace that fills up the moment the temperature rises. The wine list is rich and full of surprises, and the cocktails are excellent: try the Donald for a complex sip, layering rum, grapefruit, Campari, orange liqueur and orgeat. Food-wise, don't leave without trying the Manchego popcorn, the grilled cheese or the Portuguese sandwich. Many come for the apéro; many end up staying until late.

Warm and charming, this spot on Beaubien Est feels like a grandmother’s home in the best possible way (it’s no coincidence: ‘mamie’ means grandmother in French). Inspired by French and European classics, the menu changes with the seasons, but certain apéro must-eats remain non-negotiable: the legendary pâté en croûte and what many consider the finest charcuterie and cheese boards in Montreal. The wine list, mostly natural, is excellent: trust the house recommendations. 

Queer-owned and welcoming, Polari is discovered once and forever loved. Hidden behind a small garage door, this wine bar with exposed brick walls has a truly inclusive charm, with a warm atmosphere and shared tables. Order the buffalo mozzarella with sage and olive oil, or the roasted carrots with tahini, harissa and green sauce – both are perfect for sharing over a glass of natural wine. Unpretentious Polari may just become your go-to apéro spot in Villeray.

Little Italy's Ratafia is a place like no other in Montreal. Born from a couple's love of wine and dessert, it mixes surprise and generosity in every glass and bite. The wine list blends natural and classic bottles, with an exceptional dessert wine selection. Chef Magie Marier cooks creative, generous dishes: start with the homemade focaccia with salted herb mix, or the croquetas with pulled beef and nduja mayonnaise. And even if it's apéro time, don't skip dessert: the dark chocolate mousse is absolutely worth the trip. 
 

Created by the team behind September Surf Café, Stem Bar is one of Little Burgundy's most welcoming addresses for an apéro. The seasonal menu offers shareable small plates with ingredients sourced directly from the market, to pair with a glass of wine chosen from a list of small independent producers, or a locally brewed beer. In the dimly lit interior, or on the sunny terrace when the weather allows, this is the perfect spot to end a long working day

Taverne Atlantic is an Art Deco-inspired bar gourmand with a relaxed vibe, set in Mile Ex. When the weather is nice, head straight to the rooftop terrace, complete with a barbecue and a pétanque court. The drinks list covers everything: creative cocktails, an excellent wine selection and local craft beers. For something to eat, the snack menu delivers pizzas, hot dogs and poutine with a personal twist. You come for an apéro; you stay for more.